Hyde5: Five keys to Dolphins win towards Baltimore

It’s Week 2 in Baltimore, and listed here are 5 keys for the Miami Dolphins to begin the season 2-0:

1. The Dolphins defensive entrance dominates. The protection had a powerful day final week towards New England, and a few items are in place for them to take action once more. Baltimore prefers two-running-back packages and a bodily recreation. But does it have the personnel? It’s down their third-string left deal with if Ronnie Stanley (listed as uncertain after being out since final 12 months) doesn’t return to affix former Dolphin Ja’Wuan James (Achilles) on the sideline. That’s a superb beginning place to trigger issues. Emmanuel Ogbah performs proper finish. Brandon Jones blindsided Mac Jones from there final week. Plus, whereas the Ravens choose that bodily offense, that they had simply 11 dashing yards at halftime towards the New York Jets final Sunday and 63 yards for the sport on 21 carries. That represented their worst dashing offense over the past 4 seasons when quarterback Lamar Jackson began. The Ravens may get operating again J.Okay. Dobbins again on Sunday from harm early final 12 months. But this offensive line doesn’t seem like a typical Ravens line – particularly if their third-string deal with performs.

2. The Cheetah runs free. Baltimore’s secondary could possibly be a multitude, particularly if Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey can’t go after a groin problem in observe this week. It already misplaced cornerback Kyle Fuller (ACL), His alternative, Brandon Stephens, had a quadriceps problem in observe Wednesday and in addition missed the remainder of the week. Marcus Peters hasn’t performed since 2020 however may return Sunday. The Ravens solely certain issues at cornerback are rookie fourth-round picks Damarion Williams and Jalyn Armour-Davis. This will likely be a superb likelihood for Tua Tagovailoa and his receiving corps to have a superb day, assuming …

3. Dolphins tackles Terron Armstead and Greg Little are superb. Armstead got here out for a few performs within the opener’s fourth quarter, however he’s anticipated to play Sunday. Little replaces injured Austin Jackson at proper deal with. If Little seems like he did within the preseason finale towards Philadelphia (admittedly the Eagle reserves), the Dolphins will likely be in fine condition. It may not even be a lot of a drop-off from Jackson. One factor to observe: The Ravens like their re-done inside line of defense with Justin Madubuike and Broderick Washington becoming a member of Calais Campbell.

4. Keep Lamar Jackson below wraps. This recreation has maybe the 2 most electrical gamers within the league in Hill and Jackson. The Baltimore quarterback mentioned he didn’t deal with the blitz-heavy packages thrown at him by the Dolphins in his November loss final 12 months at Hard Rock Stadium. He was sacked 5 instances and his offense scored simply 10 factors. He grew up in Boca Raton, too, so the hometown recreation means one thing to him. The prime weapon the Dolphins used was 24 defensive-back blitzes. You’d anticipate Jackson to be extra ready this time. It’ll be fascinating to see how Dolphins defensive coordinator Josh Boyer counters – if in any respect.

5. Don’t let or not it’s a kicking recreation. The Dolphins have a superb kicker in Jason Sanders. Baltimore’s Justin Tucker has the perfect kicker in NFL historical past. He makes 91 % of his makes an attempt. He hit a 66-yard subject objective final week. He’s reached 300 subject objective faster than anybody in league historical past. We can go on and on about his numbers, however let’s simply say if it involves Tucker making a subject objective on the finish he’s going to make it.

Prediction. Baltimore 26, Miami 24. Note: This prediction was made earlier than Baltimore misplaced its two beginning cornerbacks in observe this week. If they’ll’t play …

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